Wow, Naish (Nalu Kai) is suing Best over their push-out quick release. Toby was pushing for the push-out release to be standard. Wouldn't everyone have to pay Naish for the patent?http://dockets.justia.com/docket/court- ... _id-69946/
Whatever happened to the bow patent lawsuits?

Interesting. Wondering if Best did their homework before manufacturing their current design to check on existing patents that might be infringed on? What other manufacturers have a potentially patent-infringing design for a push-away release? Is Naish suing Best as a warning shot to everyone else, or is the Best release the only one that is so very similar to the Naish patent? I don't know the Naish QR enough to know what about it is patented? Just the concept of a push-away release? Or some special design for the push-away mechanics?

To me, its a little odd because I don't think that push-away QRs are the preferable design. A pull-towards QR is a much more natural reflexive motion in an emergency, espcially when you may be being pulled at 15 knots through the water by a looping kite..... Pull-towards over push-away anyday! but... who owns a patent on the pull-towards QR????

I will say that the Naish Push out quick release is my favorite. Very smooth to release, the easiest of all systems to reset, especially on the water. I'm torn between "can't we all just get along", and the rights for people to reap the benefits of their inventiveness.

If it is, in fact, judged to be a patent infringement, then that's an example of the justice system doing its job. People deserve the revenue from their inventions. Otherwise, it's just piracy straight and simple.